BOOK  REVIEW  GUIDELINES:

GENERAL COMMENTS:

DO ORIGINAL WORK.  DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!!!

You will be doing a “review” of a historical monograph..  This review is NOT a summary of the book; rather it is a critique and analytic evaluation.

Your review needs to be a minimum of 800-1,200 words.  Use either 10 or 12 point font.  All margins need to be 1 inch. 

Be sure to cite your sources using Chicago Style citation..

Book Review essential elements include:
  • It looks at the substance of the book.
  • It includes information on the format and presentation of the book.
  • It includes a brief summary of the book so that the audience/reader will have an understanding of what the book was about.
  • It looks at the major and minor themes, organization, and overall development of the book.
  • It’s critical—both favorable and unfavorable.
  • It must analyze the author’s thesis.

SELECTING THE BOOK:
  • To select a book, consider using the Huie Library internet site. 
  • Choose a book that is a historical monograph (non-fiction).  Do not review a book that is historical fiction.**
  • Choose a book that is manageable.  For this assignment I would suggest a book that is a minimum of 200-250 pages but no more than about 350-400 pages (give or take).
  • Look for something of interest to you.  Browse through your text book(s) to look for a topic you think would be fun to read more about.  If you find the topic of your book interesting, you will enjoy this assignment.  If you find the subject uninteresting, you will not like this assignment.
  • If need be, have one of the librarians help you find something.
  • Remember, I will need to approve your book.

READING THE BOOK:
  • Take notes while reading.  What were your reactions?
  • Note the questions the author raises and how he/she answers the questions.  Did the author answer the questions?
  • Were the author’s arguments convincing?  Why or Why Not?
  • Does the author support the thesis with convincing data?

WRITING THE BOOK REVIEW:
Keep these questions in mind:
  • What is the author’s purpose in writing this book?
  • What was the book about?
  • What is the major thesis?  (Identify the thesis and explain it in your own words.)
  • What kind of evidence does the author present to support the thesis?
  • Does the author draw generalizations from the material presented?
  • Are the author’s conclusions presented clearly or are they implied?
  • What insight does the author convey to the reader? 
  • What is the historical worth of the book and how does it contribute to the History discipline?

REVIEWS SHOULD INCLUDE:
  1. You will need a cover page.  This will include your name and class information, the title of the book you are reviewing and the author of the book.  The title page does not count as page 1.     
  2. First page of the review should have the title of book in bibliographic form at the top of the page.
  3. Introduction paragraph:  You introduce the topic of the book, the book itself and the author of the book.  Include brief information about the author.  The introduction paragraph should catch the reader’s interest.  It should also be brief.
  4. The next element should be a summary of the book.  Again this should be brief.  No more than a paragraph or two.  This is NOT a page-by-page “book report”, but a summary of the substance of the book.
  5. Body of Review:  This is the bulk of the review.  You will need to identify the thesis of the book.  You should address some/or all of the above questions (Writing the Book Review).  It states the major themes of the Book.
  6. Conclusion:  About one or two paragraphs.  This is a concise statement summarizing what you have written in your review.  It is not necessary to state weather you enjoyed the Book or not.

TIPS:
  • Additional Information:
  • More Information/Example:
  • Proofread:  Be sure to proofread your review before you turn it in.  Use correct grammar and writing mechanics.  Be sure also to cite sources when you use them.
  • Chose a book that is of interest to you.
  • Chose a book that is manageable.
  • Do NOT write in first person.
  • This is not an opinion piece.  It is a critical review of a book.
  • Do not use wishy-washy words.  Example:  The book is kind of about…  The author sort of argues.  Instead:  The book is about…  The author argues…
  • You are reviewing the work of an author.  The book is the medium the author uses to make his/her points.  Do NOT say, “The book talks about…”  Instead, “Jones asserts…”  “Smith’s argues…”  “The author maintains…”  Remember it is the person talking, not the book.  If a book begins to talk to you, seek help.
  • Many authors are not from the United States and do not use “American” English.  You might encounter non-American spellings.  Colour instead of Color, for example.  Do not criticize an author at Oxford for lack of proofreading.

**  A monograph is a non-fiction, historical work.  It is not a "novel".  Novels are works of fiction.  Do not refer to the book that you are reviewing as a "novel".